Aurora – Pit-bull lovers in Aurora are in a mad scramble, trying to register their dogs and prove they are adhering to a host of new rules before Tuesday’s deadline.
Within the past week, 20 to 30 residents a day have been bringing in paperwork and paying fees to get on the list of grandfathered dogs before the ban goes into effect Wednesday.
“This week it has been big numbers,” said Cheryl Conway, the city’s animal care division spokeswoman.
Dogs not registered will be forced to be relocated or killed. Owners of illegal dogs could face up to $700 in fines and up to one year in jail.
In October, Aurora’s City Council banned new pit bulls and 10 other breeds from the city but gave residents who wanted to keep their dogs a reprieve, asking them to buy a $200 special license every year and adhere to other new guidelines.
In banning the dogs, Aurora joined other cities in Colorado, including Denver and Castle Rock. Other Colorado communities also are considering banning the dogs or tightening their vicious-dog rules to avoid becoming pit-bull havens.
Aurora’s rules require that dogs be spayed or neutered, vaccinated against rabies and have an identifying microchip implanted. Homeowners must have at least $100,000 in liability insurance, a six-sided kennel in the backyard and warning signs on the front door.
City officials are visiting pet owners’ homes to make sure they have taken the extra steps.
Last week, animal-care officer Barb Downen knocked on the door of John and Jennifer Hutzel, who registered their 2-year-old pit bull, Sadie. On the front door was a 6-inch sign with the word “Warning” in red letters. Beneath the warning in black letters: “A pit bull or restricted dog lives here.”
Jennifer Hutzel said one good thing about the new rules is the sign on her door may keep away solicitors. But she’s not pleased with the law, and her family considered moving from Aurora before the council decided to grandfather in existing dogs.
Her household has enough money to pay for the license and other steps, but she worries that some don’t and will have to give up their dogs.
“That’s just sad because so many of these dogs will have to go,” she said.
Sadie’s parents, in fact, were put down when Denver’s ban on pit bulls was reimplemented.
The Hutzels were given a chain-link fence kennel. They paid about $50 for the microchip, have a fenced-in backyard and a sweet black-and-white pit who was a Mother’s Day present for Jennifer.
Sadie welcomes visitors with a lick.
“She’s our baby,” Jennifer said. “We researched them and learned that they are really good family dogs. But because of their build, they can be taught to be mean.”
Downen said dogs that are socialized within the family are the good ones. The pit bulls that are isolated revert to their more aggressive instincts, she said.
Just days after the council approved the ban, a 10-year-old Aurora boy was mauled by three pit bulls in his backyard. He lost an arm and had major reconstructive surgery.
About the same time, a petition to force the council to reconsider the ban failed to get enough signatures and a lawsuit was filed in district court over the constitutionality of the ban. The suit is being reviewed by a judge.
Nevertheless, it appears fewer dogs that fall under the restricted breeds are being registered. Before the ban was approved by council, the city had a total of 365 licensed dogs that are now considered restricted breeds. As of Friday, only 151 had been registered. Are people just not registering their dogs, or did half of those licensed dogs go away?
Conway refused to speculate.
“I’m certainly hoping that people are just waiting,” she said. “We do still expect the numbers to rise by Tuesday.”
Staff writer Jeremy Meyer can be reached at 303-820-1175 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
Bulldogs, Staffordshire bull terriers on banned list
Aurora begins enforcing its restricted-breed ban Wednesday. Included in the ban are pit-bull-like dogs as well as other large, potentially aggressive breeds. Here is a list of the restricted dogs:
Pit bulls
American bulldogs
American pit bull terriers
American Staffordshire terriers
Staffordshire bull terriers
Cane Corso
Dogos
Filas
Presa Canarios
Presa mallorquins
Tosas
